Product Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Maria Mora is a freelance writer and single mom fueled by coffee, questionable time management skills, toaster oven waffles and the color orange. She lives in Florida with her two young sons. If you see her on Twitter, tell her to stop p...

Foolproof lip stain

When it comes to lip stains, many are overly drying. We checked out Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain and found a texture that's just right. This long-lasting balm mixes great color with just enough moisture.

product review

Foolprooflip stain

When it comes to lip stains, many are overly drying. We checked out Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain and found a texture that's just right. This long-lasting balm mixes great color with just enough moisture.

Are you looking for a lipstick that stays put without drying out your lips? We gave Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain a test drive. Find out how this drugstore lip color measured up when we put to the test.

I’m a big lip-gloss fan, but when it comes to deeply pigmented stains, I’m hard to please. I love stains for their staying power, but I find that they’re very drying and tend to wear off unevenly over time. Traditional lipstick feels great, but I don’t like reapplying. I picked up Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey and gave it a shot.

The perfect shade

The Honey shade looks really pink on the packaging. I was skeptical about it. I’m a fan of pink, but I’m also in my 30s and I don’t want to wear a shade that makes me look like an overgrown teenager. When I applied this shade, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s very close to the natural shade of my lips. It’s a perfect blush that accentuates the lips without looking too made-up. Because it’s so close to my base shade, I’ve found that I can play with it by layering a lightly pigmented gloss over the top. It’s very easy to go peachy, shimmery or even plum with the right gloss overtop.

Easy to apply

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is basically a big, soft crayon. It’s simple to apply, and the gentle tapering helps you line your lips without needing an additional liner. I find that I need to apply two quick coats to get enough moisture to feel like a balm. The chunky crayon format is great for tossing into your purse or a clutch if you need to reapply, but I found that I don’t need to reapply often at all.

Great texture

Liquid lip stains go on easy but tend to be drying. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain goes on creamy. It isn’t a highly moisturizing lip color, but it isn’t overly drying either. If you prefer a wet look, wear a clear gloss or traditional lip balm over the color once you’ve given it a couple of minutes to set.

The final verdict

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is a great buy. The Honey shade is perfect for everyday wear. It’s flattering and sweet, and walks the fine line between too pink and just pink enough. At this price, I’m happy to pick up a few more shades and give them a try. Because it’s a stain, the deeper shades will give you a dramatic look. Start light if you’re new to stains. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is a budget-friendly must-have for your makeup bag. (Target, $8)